2 tonnes of fish destroyed in Bushenyi

FISHERIES officials in Bushenyi district have destroyed over two tonnes of immature fish caught from Lake George. <br>Over 1,500 illegal fishing gears and seven boats were also destroyed in an operation that ended last Friday.

By Chris Ahimbisibwe

FISHERIES officials in Bushenyi district have destroyed over two tonnes of immature fish caught from Lake George.
Over 1,500 illegal fishing gears and seven boats were also destroyed in an operation that ended last Friday.

The district fisheries officer, Monday Rwanga, said 700 illegal fishing nets were destroyed at Kasenyi, 800 at Kayinja and 80 at Nyamugesera fish landing sites.

He said two illegal boats were destroyed at Kashaka, three at Kayinja and two at Katunguru.

Rwanga added that they impounded a vehicle that was carrying the immature fish.

The operation was aimed at checking illegal fishing practices on the lake, which he said had depleted the lake resources.

L.George is shared by Kamwenge, Bushenyi and Kasese districts.

“They think that the local governments do not have money to monitor the activities on the lake full-time but this time we persisted and arrested them,” Rwanga said.

He revealed that after the operation, they held a meeting with inter-beach management units and fishermen and asked them to buy the recommended fishing gears.

“Kasese district is letting us down in fighting the depletion of the lake and yet they own half of it,” he said.

Rwanga appealed to the authorities in the three districts to work together to curb the vice.